Diagnosis: Email Apnea?

I’ve just opened my email and there’s nothing out of the ordinary there. It’s the usual daily flood of schedule, project, travel, information, and junk mail. Then I notice. I’m holding my breath.

As the email spills onto my screen, as my mind races with thoughts of what I’ll answer first, what can wait, who I should call, what should have been done two days ago; I’ve stopped the steady breathing I was doing only moments earlier in a morning meditation and now, I’m holding my breath.

And here’s the deal: You’re probably holding your breath, too.

I wanted to know — how widespread is email apnea*? I observed others on computers and BlackBerries: in their offices, their homes, at cafes. The vast majority of people held their breath, or breathed very shallowly, especially when responding to email. I watched people on cell phones, talking and walking, and noticed that most were mouth-breathing and hyperventilating. Consider also, that for many, posture while seated at a computer can contribute to restricted breathing.

Does it matter? How was holding my breath affecting me?

The article is a few years old, but I just heard about this the other day. As a person with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), I can relate to this. I have also noticed the phenomena when I’m intently reading or writing an important e-mail (or blog post).

What I found most interesting is that there are tools to help with this. One is an O2 sensor that you clip to your ear and when your oxygen saturation dips below a certain level, a red dot to will show up on your monitor to remind you to breathe.

Yes, REMIND you to breathe. Sounds funny to say, but it’s apparently a growing problem.